NEW CONCORD Despite capturing its seventh consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament championship and receiving the No 1 seed, the Muskingum College softball team will be on the road for the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament this weekend.
The Lady Muskies, making their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, have been placed in the Salem, Virginia Regional where they will begin play on Friday.
The Muskies (38-5) earned the top-seed and will play the winner of Bethany (28-13) vs. Averett (20-20) at 5 p.m. on Friday at the James I. Moyer Complex.
Over the last three years in regional competition the Muskies are 13-4 with two regional championships (2001, 2003) and one national title (2001).
The Division III Softball Championship includes 44 teams in eight regions with the regional champions advancing to an eight-team double-elimination final hosted by the City of Salem, Va. and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The finals will be held Friday-Tuesday, May 14-18 at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem.
For those planning to make the trip, admission prices are $5/day for adults and $2/day for students, seniors and children under 12. Gates open one hour prior to the first game of the day.
Heres the complete regional tournament schedule:
Friday, May 7
Game 1: 12 p.m. #4 Bethany (W.Va.) vs. #5 Averett; Game 2: 2:30 p.m. #3 Emory vs. #6 Sewanee; Game 3: 5 p.m. #1 Muskingum vs. Winner Game 1; Game 4: 7:30 p.m. #2 Roanoke vs. Winner of Game 2
Saturday, May 8
Game 5: 12 p.m. Loser of Game 2 vs. Loser of Game 3; Game 6: 2:30 p.m. Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4; Game 7: 5 p.m. Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4; Game 8: 7:30 p.m. Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6
Sunday, May 9
Game 9: 11 a.m. Winner Game 8 vs. Loser of Game 7; Game 10: 1 p.m. Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 9
Monday, May 10
Game 11: 11:00 a.m. If necessary